30+ best anime girl names with meanings

Anime girl names have a musical, feminine, and unique quality. Many anime girl names come from Japanese vocabulary words representing virtues like beauty, strength, wisdom, or nobility. The best anime girl names balance simplicity with depth of meaning. They often feature only one or two syllables for a streamlined sounding name. Yet behind these short anime girl names lie profound cultural traditions regarding the feminine ideal. Kawaii anime girl names also reflect the prevalence of cuteness, sweetness, and playfulness in female anime characters.

Kagome: This two syllable anime girl name references a type of bamboo woven basket used in Shinto shrine rituals. As such, it carries spiritual symbolism suitable for the heroine Kagome in the anime Inuyasha about mystical adventures in feudal Japan. Her name conveys delicate femininity yet inner strength and purpose.

Akari: In Japanese, akari signifies light, brightness, luminosity, or radiance. As a girl’s name, it captures luminous beauty and effervescent energy. The name Akari calls to mind shining elements like starlight, candlelight, sunlight, or moonbeams. Its brisk brevity yields an effortlessly cute anime girl name.

Erza: This strong, valiant name belongs to a powerful S-class mage and armored heroine in the popular shonen anime Fairy Tail. The fierce yet caring Erza commands respect through her compassion and conviction. Beyond Fairy Tail, Erza is an alternative for the Hebrew name Hadassah meaning “myrtle tree.” Both names suggest beauty mixed with quiet strength.

Yui: In kanji, yui represents tie, bind, connect, or relationship. As a virtue name for girls, it embodies care and closeness. Anime fans will recognize Yui as the sweet, nurturing member of the Afterschool Tea Time band in the slice-of-life anime K-On who plays a unifying role. Though soft-spoken, her presence binds the group together.

Sakura: This quintessentially Japanese name calls to mind cherry blossoms, the national flower of Japan admired for its delicate beauty and ephemerality. As a virtue name for girls, it symbolizes purity, femininity, transience and aesthetic appreciation.

Hikari: Meaning “light” in Japanese, Hikari is a luminous anime girl name conveying radiance, brightness, hope and happiness. Its simple beauty captures the sparkling effervescence of anime heroines.

Mei: This lovely single-syllable name translates to “sprout” or “bud” in Chinese and Japanese, evoking the first tender shoots of spring. As a girl’s name it beautifully embodies the emergence of maidenly charm.

Kaori: In Japanese kanji, kaori signifies “fragrance”, making it an ideal anime girl name with graceful femininity. Its soft, lilting pronunciation also calls to mind the sweet scent of fresh flowers.

Ren: Meaning “water lily” in Japanese, Ren is a minimalist unisex name rich inAquatic symbolism. Water lilies represent tranquility and rebirth — suiting a complex heroine who transforms herself.

Rin: This brisk one-syllable name means “dignified” in Japanese and sometimes serves as a nickname for other names ending in “rin”. Its pert brevity suits the energetic nature of anime girl characters.

Natsuki: Blending “natsu” (summer) with “ki” (radiance, hope) this sunny anime girl name represents the vibrant warmth and joy of summer days. It captures feminine charm and cheer.

Kohana: In kanji this name breaks down into “ko” (small) and “hana” (flower), together conveying a little flower. As a girl’s name it has a delicate, frilly feel well-suited to feminine anime characters.

Nadeshiko: Representing the carnation flower in Japanese, this graceful four-syllable name calls to mind the soft, powdery blossoms praised as one of Japan’s three most celebrated flowers.

Fuyu: Meaning “winter” in Japanese, this pretty anime girl name carries cool, crisp connotations. As a feminine given name it confers delicacy and subtle strength like the hushed snowfall of winter.

Nozomi: Representing hope, desire and prayer, this uplifting anime girl name has a motivational quality. The Japanese phrase “nozomi wo kakete” means to wish or hope for something, making Nozomi an ideal moniker for striving heroines.

Koharu: Blending “ko” (small) with “haru” (spring), this cheerful anime girl name means “little spring” in Japanese. Its carefree femininity beautifully captures the sunny tranquility of spring.

Izumi: This soft yet strong anime girl name signifies “fountain” in Japanese, calling to mind fresh bubbling springs. It has a fluid, graceful quality befitting emotionally complex female characters.

Naomi: Deriving from Japanese kanji combining “nao” (straight, honest) with “mi” (beautiful), this anime girl name represents sincere beauty. Modernly it also incorporates “ai (love) making it doubly lovely.

Miyako: Stanza two of Japan’s famous waka poem about its former capital Nara contains the phrase “Nara’s Mikako”. Over time this location name transformed into the popular feminine given name Miyako meaning “beautiful capital”.

Misaki: This light, youthful anime girl name joins the kanji for “mi” (beautiful) with “saki” (blossom) to poetically evoke a beautiful blossom. It captures maidenly charm and potential waiting to unfurl.

Minori: As Japanese virtue name Minori combines “mi” (beautiful) with “no” (faith) and “ri” (village, hometown) to symbolize a beautiful, trustworthy hometown. This makes it an ideal moniker for steadfast heroines.

Runa: Variously translated as “moon”, “tidal waters” or “mystery” from different languages, this pan-cultural name has an otherworldly anime-worthy charm. Its soft femininity and occult connotations suit mystical maidens.

Orihime: This elegant anime name comes from Japanese folklore concerning the weaving princess star Vega who meets her lover Hikoboshi (Altair) across the Milky Way on the seventh night of the seventh moon.

Umeko: Pairing the kanji for plum “ume” with the feminine name ending “ko” yields Umeko, or “plum child”. Ume blossoms symbolize perseverance and renewal in Japan.

Tanpopo: Representing the dandelion flower in Japanese, Tanpopo has a lively, cheerful quality. Dandelions demonstrate resilience in unpredictable conditions — suiting spirited anime heroines.

Kiku: Meaning “chrysanthemum” in Japanese, the dignified camellia serves as the royal emblem of the Japanese emperor and imperial family. Kiku makes an elegant anime girl name reflecting nobility and tradition.

Himawari: In Japanese “himawari” signifies a sunflower, the smiling bloom whose face follows the sun. This bright, cheerful anime girl name radiates sunny optimism.

Hanako: Pairing “hana” (flower) with the popular feminine suffix “ko” creates Hanako or “flower child” in Japanese. Its graceful simplicity encapsulates naturalistic feminine beauty.

Harumi: Uniting “haru” (spring) with “mi” (beautiful) yields Harumi, meaning “springtime beauty”. The name’s cheerful lilt echoes the sunny serenity of spring.

Nanami: This elaborately kanji name incorporates “nana” (seven) with “mi” (beautiful) referencing the mysticism surrounding the number seven and concepts of fortune and blessing.

Yuzuki: Combining kanji representing gentleness or superiority with moon or moonlight, this tranquil name for anime girls evokes moon viewing amid gracefully drifting cherry blossoms.